The police force has been holding talks with West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) about building a "criminal justice complex" at Wootton Hall.

It is believed the development would see a two-storey building with office suites and a 50-cell holding centre built on a section of parkland next to police headquarters.

But members of the Wootton Hall Park Residents' Association have described the plans as a "mini prison" and claimed they could lead to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

A spokesman for the group said: "We're really worried about the destruction of a green space and the loss of playing fields, but the main fear is about security with criminals coming out of these holding cells and committing crimes in the area."

Last year, the police revealed plans to build a £13million, 50-cell custody centre on the Brackmills industrial estate.

But following six months of negotiations, the force has admitted it is now also looking at the Wootton Hall site as a possible location for the development.

Police authority chairman, Marie Dickie, said: "There has been long-standing discussion about the development of a new criminal justice centre for Northampton and the authority is still exploring a variety of different ways we can deliver that without having to borrow a lot of money.

"There are ongoing negotiations and discussions about a number of different sites and our main concern is making sure we get the best value for the public's money."

Because the development at Wootton Hall would be on land owned by the police, it is believed the scheme would cost about £1.6million less than the Brackmills plans.

But the county councillor for the area, Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage (Con, East Hunsbury), has described the Wootton Hall site as "completely inappropriate".

He said: "I really don't think we can accommodate a centre like this safely or comfortably and residents certainly don't want criminals wondering around the area after they come out of this place.

"I can understand the authority looking at land they already own, but this is really not an appropriate area at all. It beggars belief they're even thinking about it."

Councillor de Savage has called an emergency meeting with police force representatives to discuss the issue next week.